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Hemangiomas
are
strawberry-colored
"birthmarks".
They are
not rare,
and vary
from tiny
blebs to
large and
multiple
tumor-like
growths.
They are
not true
birthmarks
since they
are mostly
not seen
at birth,
but start
in infancy
and then
begin to
grow.
Hemangiomas
first
appear
from birth
up to 18
months,
and then
slowly
shrink.
Port wine
stains and
other true
birthmarks
are fully
formed at
birth and
do not
grow
wider.
Hemangiomas
that
require
early
aggressive
treatment
include
those that
are
cosmetically
deforming,
growing
rapidly or
obstructing
vision,
hearing,
breathing,
eating or
any other
body
function.
Hemangiomas
on the
lower face
and neck
may later
block
internal
airways.
Large
facial
hemangiomas
may cause
psychosocial
impairment.
Also,
larger
hemangiomas
that are
left alone
to regress
(shrink
away over
years)
will
eventually
look
better if
the
resulting
saggy,
stretched
out skin
and fatty
tissue is
surgically
removed.
Most
hemangiomas
when first
diagnosed
are
superficial
only.
These can
be treated
with a
laser as
soon as
they are
diagnosed,
and early
treatment
is key as
laser
becomes
less
effective
if you
wait. The
laser
selects
the red
and
shrinks
the
vessels so
that the
result is
a less
noticeable
lesion.
Repeated
treatments
can almost
completely
remove the
superficial
component.
However,
since the
laser can
only
penetrate
1-3mm, it
cannot
shrink any
deep
component.
Sometimes
early
treatment
will
prevent
further
growth,
although
deeper
portions
may still
persist
and grow.
The
flash-lamp
pulse dye,
pump dye
and sclero-laser
are the
primary
lasers
used for
treating
hemangiomas.
The risk
of
scarring
is small.
Complete
removal of
every
trace
should not
be
expected.
Symptoms
Strawberry
hemangiomas
are bright
red (or
purple),
soft,
raised,
squishy
birthmarks
with sharp
borders.
They often
start as
little red
dots
surrounded
by a pale
halo
before
they grow.
They are
most
common on
the head,
chest, or
upper
back.
Deeper
cavernous
hemangiomas
often
appear
bluish,
and the
borders
look less
distinct.
If the
hemangioma
is deep
enough,
the
overlying
skin might
look
normal.
Most are
found on
the head
or neck.
Most
hemangiomas
grow
rapidly,
doubling
their
size, and
then
plateau
for a
while
before
collapsing
and
disappearing.
When the
color
becomes
dull, or
the center
appears
gray or
pinkish-gray,
the
hemangioma
may be
entering
the slow
disappearing
phase.
Treatment
Cavernous
hemangiomas
that
involve
the eyelid
and
obstruct
vision are
generally
treated
with
injections
of
steroids
or laser
treatments
that
rapidly
reduce the
size of
the
lesions,
allowing
normal
vision to
develop.
Large
cavernous
hemangiomas
or mixed
hemangiomas
are
treated,
when
appropriate,
with oral
steroids
and
injections
of
steroids
directly
into the
hemangioma.
Recently,
lasers
have been
used to
reduce the
bulk of
the
hemangiomas.
Lasers
emitting
yellow
light
selectively
damage the
vessels in
the
hemangioma
without
damaging
the
overlying
skin. Some
physicians
are using
a
combination
of steroid
injection
and laser
therapy
together.
If you
need more
information
or would
like to
schedule
and
appointment
for a
consultation,
please
click here
to contact
us or
call one
of our
offices
at:
(212)
593-1818
New York
(516)
512-7616
Long
Island |
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